Bartlett dominated the Federal League under-17 competition in 1963, kicking more than a hundred goals including 27 in one match. Not surprisingly he won the best and fairest in the league that year and was subsequently recruited by the Demons.

A strong centre-half forward who found it hard to establish a spot in the seniors, Bartlett debuted in 1964 and played three games in his first season before missing all of 1965. Midway through 1966 he was cleared to Prahran in the VFA. That year he played in the Two Blues second division premiership side, kicking four goals in the grand final.

In 1969 he sought a clearance to Footscray but Prahran refused to let their Association representative player go and Bartlett was remained with Prahran until joining WAFL side Swan Districts in 1972. Returned to Prahran in 1973.

He later returned to Victoria and served as an assistant coach under fellow ex-Demon Ken Jungwirth at Murrumbeena in 1980.